Avril Lavigne’s newly released single “We Are Warriors”' is aptly titled and fitting during the COVID-19 pandemic, but is incredibly disappointing in its execution.
“We Are Warriors” isn’t actually a new song by the well-known pop-singing skater girl.
The track is a re-recorded version of “Warrior” from Lavigne’s 2019 released sixth studio album “Head Above Water.”
However, “We Are Warriors” is lackluster with no notable differences compared to its original rendition.
Lavigne could’ve easily just released the original version of “Warrior” and without changing much of the re-recorded song’s message.
The most significant comparison between the two versions is that Lavigne simply changed the song’s perspective. Initially written from her viewpoint, the re-release shifts to the people’s perspective as they deal with the pandemic.
For example, “Warrior’s” pre-chorus lyrics are “And I won't bow, I won't break / No, I'm not afraid of you whatever it takes / I’ll never bow, I’ll never break.”
The re-recorded version just simply and lazily replaces “I” with “we.”
While it makes sense to change these lyrics in response to the virus, it isn’t enough to make “We Are Warriors” feel significantly different to “Warrior.” What the new version truly needs is a revamped instrumental, melody and singing style.
Basically, this song needs anything that makes it feel different to listeners who have heard the original.
Despite the song not drastically diverging from the original, “Warrior” was one of the best songs from “Head Above Water.”
It’s the classic ballad you expect from Lavigne with a catchy chorus and emotive vocals about a personal struggle. It was a perfect track to end “Head Above Water.”
According to iHeartRadio, the song was inspired by Lavigne’s health struggle against Lyme disease and it was one of the first tracks she wrote for the album.
“Warrior” always sounded like it should’ve been a single to appeal to the listeners who were fans of Lavigne’s heart-wrenching ballads like “I’m with You” or “Wish You Were Here.”
It’s easily one of the best songs Lavigne has written in years and makes the track feel reminiscent of her first two albums that were released during her prime years.
The mixing in “Warrior” also sounds clearer than “We Are Warriors,” where the volume balance sounds rather messy and a bit overpowering of the instrumentals versus vocals.
“We Are Warriors” barely makes itself a track worth listening to.
Lavigne should’ve taken the new song into a different direction where both versions would feel distinct from each other, but she missed a great opportunity to do so.
A shadow of its original form, “We Are Warriors” will always be inferior to the original.
